Soapbox Engage Blog

Event registration can be very challenging and time-consuming. There are so many details to gather and track. But, having a smooth, seamless registration process for your guests is vital because this is their first impression of your event.

Choosing an online event registration and fundraising software can be just as overwhelming! Many great options on the market offer loads of features and perks. However, there are several features that you just can’t live without.

Here are five features that are “must-haves” for your event registration software.

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1) Offer a variety of ticketing options for your nonprofit event

Hopefully, as your nonprofit grows, you will add more fantastic events to your schedule. Look for an event registration platform that will grow with you and offer a wide variety of ticketing options.

You probably host free activities as well as events for which you sell tickets. No matter what the ticket price, you want to gather registration information and keep everything organized. Soapbox Engage's Events app allows you to set any price for your tickets (including free). You’ll be able to invite your guests to register online, gather their information, and even automatically sync the data to your online directory.

Set the ticket sales start and end dates and even offer promotions and discount codes. Create early-bird specials, group discounts, VIP privileges, and other special offers. With Soapbox Events, you’ll also be able to set a cap for the number of tickets available, so there is no risk of over-selling.

Soapbox Engage's Events app is so flexible that you can even restrict ticket sales to specific groups within your directories! This is an excellent ticketing feature because it allows you to offer unique benefits to particular groups of supporters.

One of the most significant advantages of having flexible ticketing options is that you can offer your supporters many choices to accommodate a variety of budgets and interest levels. This makes your event more accessible and creates opportunities for people to support your event at a higher price point. Everyone benefits!

2) Every nonprofit event needs its own branded page

Each event needs its own registration page to make registration and fundraising success. Soapbox Events allows you to create unique information and registration pages for an unlimited number of events.

Having unique pages for every event (sometimes called “microsites”) allows you to promote your gatherings, advertise, and sell tickets easily. You can use your unique logos and event branding, which helps build recognition and trust with your audience.

It is also helpful to offer the form on your own, branded site instead of sending guests to a third-party site to register. Soapbox Engage lets your guests register, fill out forms, and pay in one location.

Using the same branding across all your event information highlights your organization’s brand and creates a seamless event experience for your guests, starting the moment they register. Your guests should see common themes across your website, event registration page, and promotional materials. This helps people recognize that the event is unique, but part of your nonprofit’s brand.

Having branded microsites for your events also makes your advertising job easier! Share the event link on all your social media pages; include the link to register in your email updates, and encourage your supporters and registered guests to invite friends.

3) Event registration pages must be mobile friendly on any device

Around 2 billion people currently use smartphones and mobile devices to access the internet and people $101 billion via mobile devices in 2018. Your event registration software must be mobile-friendly across all devices. If your registration page and organization website isn't compatible with every kind of phone and tablet, you risk losing guests and supporters for your event and your organization.

Soapbox Engage's Events app pages are mobile-friendly across all devices. Your visitors can seamlessly move from your website and events calendar to the event registration page on their desktop or smartphone.

If you currently have a website or event registration page, you can find out how compatible your website is by plugging your URL into Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.

4) Offer online payment options for your event registration

Offering a seamless, secure online payment process is critical in the digital age. Soapbox Events lets you choose from several payment processors like CyberSource, PayPal, Stripe, and TouchNet to receive online payments and donations.

With Soapbox Engage, your guests will be able to purchase tickets with their PayPal accounts or credit cards. You can even let people register and pay at the door by cash or check. Some payment processing services will also allow your guests to set up payment plans.

Don’t limit your event fundraising to ticket sales! With online payment options, you can also invite supporters to make additional online donations to your cause or organization. Encourage people to make a financial contribution to the cause even if they can't attend your event.

Soapbox Engage saves each transaction and links each payment to a specific campaign for easy accounting. You can also match purchases with current donors in your directory, or create new contacts. These features reduce your overhead and administrative time so you can spend more energy planning your event.

5) Simplify your nonprofit event check-ins

Your employees, volunteers, and guests will forever sing your praises because of Soapbox Engage’s mobile check-in features! No matter what kind of event you are hosting, turn any tablet or smartphone into a check-in tool to streamline the process.

No more finding people on spreadsheets or other cumbersome check-in processes! In turn, this reduces the long lines at registration, and people will have more time to mingle and enjoy the event. You’ll also be able to allow last-minute attendees with on-site registration.

Mobile check-in systems free up your staff and volunteers to focus on other things, like connecting with potential donors.

In Soapbox Engage, check-in forms are entirely customizable so you can gather all the information you need and save it to your online platform. No more losing valuable data.

Bonus: Marketing analytics track the success of your marketing campaigns

Do you know which marketing tactic generated the most registrations? Did more people register through a Facebook post or via your online events calendar? With Soapbox Events, you can create tracking URLs that tell you how each guest arrived at your registration page.

It is essential to track each marketing campaign to learn more about how your audience engages with your organization online. This priceless information will help you improve attendance at all your events. It will also help you engage your ideal audience online and avoid wasting time and resources on less effective marketing tactics.

Now that you know what to look for in an event registration software, our team of experts at Soapbox Engage is standing by to help you get started! If you’re interested in learning more about how to take your next nonprofit event to the next level, here are some resources to get you started.

• Nonprofit Payment Processing: A Complete Guide and Glossary: Online credit card processing is a significant part of the everyday experience for donors and organizations, whether you are selling event tickets or taking online donations. Do you know what to look for in an online processing service? Here’s a complete guide that will help you choose the best service for your nonprofit.
• 5 Marketing Strategies Every Nonprofit Should Implement: Whether you are advertising for a specific event or trying to connect with more potential donors, quality marketing is essential. Here are some easy strategies that will take your marketing to the next level.
• 6 Cost-Effective And Creative Donor Thank You Gifts: Thanking your guests and donors is an integral part of any fundraising event. Here are six meaningful ways to show your attendees and supporters how much you appreciate them.